SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR NEURODEGENERATION, IN VIVO PHARMACOLOGY

Do you have a desire to discover and develop therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, strong understanding of animal model pharmacology (from rodents to primates), but don’t want or need to be hands-on with the animals? If you have good experience managing external CRO studies and can work collaboratively with scientists from industry, academia, and government research labs, you could play a major role in breakthrough discoveries for neurodegeneration.

The Scientific Director of In Vivo Pharmacology will design and oversee target and therapeutic agent evaluation in multiple animal models (rodents and large animals including non-human primates) relevant to neurodegeneration research. The Scientific Director will also have oversight responsibilities for the in life studies of drug discovery and gene therapy campaigns underway. The position involves collaborating with internal scientific directors and program managers managing larger “virtual” teams of external collaborators at CROs and academic labs.

Working closely with other scientific directors for target biology validation, PD target engagement, MOA modulation and assessment of disease outcomes using various molecular, behavioral and imaging endpoints in relevant animal

Working closely with DMPK

Designing and implementing therapeutic testing strategies for the various drug discovery and gene therapy

Selecting and managing external vendors to provide relevant services and qualification of data and

Writing peer-review publications and presenting internally and at relevant conferences.

Requirements:

You would need:

A PhD in Neuroscience or Pharmacology plus a minimum of 5 (~10 preferred) years of experience in the biopharmaceutical sector with an emphasis on Neuroscience drug discovery and a detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of

Experience in the oversight and management of contract research organizations

Knowledge and experience using genetically modified animals in drug discovery in areas relevant to neurodegeneration

Experience with both small and large molecule (e.g. antibodies and/or viruses/gene therapy) drug discovery and in vivo

Experience with establishing pharmacodynamic endpoints for mechanistic engagement, in support of therapeutic drug

Experience working with large animals, particularly nonhuman primates, in drug discovery, with experience in a range of phenotypes including cognition, fine motor control and/or basal ganglia relevant

Evidence of experience leading programs, influencing skills, team-building, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a deep understanding of the drug discovery process.

Demonstrated track record of being part of drug discovery project teams and partnering with Medicinal Chemistry/DMPK teams to successfully advance candidate therapeutics

Excellent written and oral communication

Preferred Skills:

An ideal candidate might also have one or more of the following:

Experience and expertise in behavioral pharmacology

Experience and skills in pharmacological modeling

Experience in the development and qualification of biomarkers

Expertise in imaging technologies as applied to neuroscience

A publication record showing creative thinking as well as evidence of cross- functional team

East or West coast locations are available, though this is NOT a virtual or work-from-home position. Current US work authorization is needed.